The current pinnacle of semiconductor technology is known as the 2-nanometer process, an abstract technical term. While earlier processes, such as 90-nanometer or 130-nanometer, referred to the minimum gate length of transistors, these numbers no longer directly correspond to the physical size of materials but instead reflect a set of technical characteristics.

The exhibits in this project, based on dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) technology, were created using screen printing techniques to print multiple DSSCs on glass. Each DSSC is printed as close as possible to others without touching, maintaining a distance of 1.54 mm or 1,540,000 nm. As a result, "1,540,000 nm" is not just an intriguing name but also a symbol of the DIY spirit. This book was written for the 2025 Tokyo FabCafe exhibition, inspired by the concept of "off-grid." It combines some of my past experiences with an introduction to the concepts behind the new exhibits.

This book can be appreciated from two perspectives. First, it is a practical manual that documents my personal process of creating DSSCs and the detailed records of the manual techniques involved. Second, this artistic monograph also explores the ecological landscape surrounding DSSCs and the creation of artistic tools. These discoveries involve connections between aesthetics, energy distribution issues, and DIY initiatives.

DSSCs are considered "old" technology that faded from the commercial market around 2012 due to challenges in encapsulation and lifespan. Why do I still love this technology? My works often revolve around photosensitive materials and light, approached through DIY methods. For example, one of my earlier projects, the "Laser Dye ProjectN," used a homemade laser projector to develop cyanotype and Vandyke brown artworks on textiles, transforming traditional processes from an optical perspective.

Similarly, I find DSSCs fascinating because they represent an alternative craft that strongly correlates with dyeing techniques. Using dyeing and screen-printing methods, DSSCs can be crafted into artistic photovoltaic technologies. They also serve as a great starting point for learning basic semiconductor knowledge. On a broader scale, matrixed DSSCs can even be developed into CMOS image sensors for visual recognition. My starting point was art, but it eventually led me to energy issues.

The concepts of "DIY" and "off-grid" emphasized in this book are still far from true "democracy." For example, FTO conductive glass still needs to be purchased from large suppliers. However, in a relatively resource-scarce environment, it is still possible to create DSSCs with commercial-grade conversion efficiency. Although these methods cannot compete with commercial mass production, if your goal is not maximum efficiency but rather to create functional DSSCs that demonstrate principles, you can achieve this with affordable materials and tools.

On a personal level, DIY may only reflect design flexibility and creativity. But from a macro perspective, it carries significant social meaning. The concept of Appropriate Technology is a good starting point for understanding this idea. At its core, this concept advocates for technology that is small-scale, low-cost, sustainable, and manageable by user communities. From Gandhi’s spinning wheel to recent maker movements and open-source initiatives, projects over the past decade, such as eco-bricks, micro-robotic farmsN, kombucha textiles, clay 3D printing, and bioplastics, have demonstrated how technology can integrate natural resources, culture, and environmental considerations to provide solutions for resource-scarce areas.

Yet, the development of modern technology, such as AI and blockchain, often ends up being dominated by elites and capital, despite their original intent for decentralization. This inherent characteristic of technoculture to exacerbate class divisions challenges our expectations of democratized technology.

I don’t have concrete answers to this outcome. I believe we should remain open-minded and continually incorporate these considerations into future designs, constantly searching for a broader perspective to address the inherent flaws in technoculture. This book faithfully documents and shares the landscapes I’ve observed, along with some intriguing ideas for artistic expression.

plus-circle Add Review

comment

Reviews